Alien species pose one of the world’s major environmental problems.
Alien species pose one of the world’s major environmental problems. But we don’t always know why or how these species are able to spread so quickly.
“Invasive species are a key factor in the crisis that is affecting biological diversity now,” says Michael D. Martin, professor of evolutionary genomics at NTNU University Museum.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has identified the five biggest global threats to species diversity. Land use change leads the way, ahead of direct exploitation of natural resources, climate change, and pollution.
But the fifth threat is one that might not have occurred to many people: alien species that spread into areas where they do not belong. We know they pose a big problem.
Read More at: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Photo Credit: Katja_Kolumna via Pixabay
